Leicester Metropolis have signed ahead Nathan Opoku, most lately of Syracuse College, the membership introduced on Tuesday.
Opoku, 21, has been instantly loaned to Belgian facet OH Leuven, the sister membership of Leicester on account of having a typical proprietor in journey retail firm King Energy.
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A local of Accra, Ghana, Opoku moved to the U.S. forward of the 2021 collegiate season, enjoying for Lindsey Wilson, an NAIA faculty based mostly in Columbia, Kentucky. He went on to attain 19 objectives in 19 video games earlier than transferring to Syracuse.
Previous to the 2022 collegiate season, Opoku performed for the Ventura County Fusion in USL League Two, which occupies the fourth tier within the U.S. soccer system. Opoku scored 11 objectives in 16 league and playoff appearances, and led Ventura County to the League Two title, scoring within the last.
Opoku continued his knack for scoring essential objectives with the Orange. He began the season on the wing, however rapidly fashioned a devastating strike partnership with Levonte Johnson on his technique to 11 objectives and eight assists, together with a tally within the NCAA last, which the Orange gained on penalties over Indiana College.
“He’s a strong player, an intelligent player, holds the ball up really well, and that was something that impressed,” mentioned Syracuse head coach Ian McIntyre about Opoku. “[He has] very good feet. He’s powerful, he’s quick.
“However what actually impressed us was his potential to be a hyperlink participant for us and actually complimented Levonte Johnson’s tempo in behind. So a really sensible participant, which I believe stunned a couple of gamers. However he scored some large objectives for us, and has the flexibility to create area within the field.
“He’s quite elusive with his movement.”
McIntyre added that Opoku had hoped to get to Europe sooner, however the COVID-19 pandemic restricted his alternatives, therefore his transfer to the U.S.
Following his exploits with Syracuse, Opoku was anticipated to attract appreciable curiosity from MLS, however turned down a contract provide, leaving him to set his sights on Europe.
Leicester, who gained the Premier League title in 2015-16 and the Fa Cup two years in the past, are presently 14th within the Premier League standings.
Additionally on switch deadline day on Tuesday, they loaned Spanish ahead Ayoze Perez to LaLiga facet Actual Betis for the rest of the season.